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VA Ratings for Arthritis And Types of Arthritis and VA Disability

VA ratings for arthritis: Arthritis is the most common disease observed among the people of older age. There are two different types of arthritis disease namely rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis. One in every five person is affected by this disease.

The disease caused abnormalities in bones or weakens them. In this article, we will discuss the VA ratings for degenerative arthritis for veterans. The discharge of active duty members from their service is mainly due to this degenerative arthritis. There are different symptoms of degenerative arthritis such as stiffness, pain, disability to move or perform any work, swelling of joints, etc.

VA Disability Ratings for arthritis

As discussed earlier, arthritis is of two types and VA gives ratings to both in different orders. There is a criterion that is used to give the ratings ranging from 0 percent to 100 percent. If the veteran has a condition of rheumatoid arthritis and he in completely incapacitated, then VA gives the ratings of 100 percent disability.

Then the veteran with established diagnosis receives the ratings of 20 %, 40 % and 60%. Degenerative arthritis on the other hand receives the ratings based on complete impairment. The veterans must have to prove their service connection for the disability to get the ratings. There is a program that veteran affair department has made that also provides pensions to the veterans who have arthritis disability.

Knee Conditions Recognized by VA

Knee pain is rated under different diagnostic criteria according to 38 CFR § 4.71a,
Schedular Ratings, Musculoskeletal System.

Some of the common knee conditions covered by diagnostic codes are as follows:

Arthritis and military service

The veteran affair department gives different ratings based on the condition. There are no combined ratings for the disability. The arthritis is rated after the complete medical examination of every joint under the 5002 code of diagnostic. If the veteran is completely bedridden then he will receive the rating of 100 percent.

Even if the veteran is not bedridden, he will still receive the rating under 100 percent. These ratings are given so that the veteran who receives medical help and care can get the treatment on time. If the veteran is discharged from the service and gets the arthritis disability, then he can receive the arthritis benefits. The veteran will have to give the medical examination that will prove that the disease was caused due to the service.

VA ratings for arthritis in back

If the veteran gets arthritis disability of back, then he will be eligible to receive the rating of 10 percent or 20 percent based on the severity of condition. Veteran affair department requires complete examination before providing the benefits. The condition of arthritis should be visible either from the swelling of joints or muscle spasms.

Following things are considered before giving the ratings to a veteran:

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